Tag Archives: writing

This will not be a normal fiction review. I wanted to shake it up a bit, and share a review of a non fiction piece that I just finished.

I bought this book as research on a new project. As even a self published writer, I love getting material from Writer’s Digest to help me in my craft, and this book is another that did not disappoint. It was full of helpful and user friendly tips and tricks to turn a blog into a book. It gave great insight for not only creating and managing your blog when you start the process, but also how to think of blogging a book as a business (because when you turn it into a book, you want it to sell, right?) I found the book easy to read, and even though I don’t usually do it, I ended up highlighting some of the material to go back to later on because I will have to go back and re-read certain sections, and even some entire chapters when I finally start the project.

There is really nothing that I did not like about this book. It was a great intro for me, and with all the information given, I truly believe with the right content and posting schedule, I can create a blog to book that people will want to read. I feel this way because this book started out as a blog and was submitted to many publishing companies until Writer’s Digest picked it up. This fact alone has given me the gumption to start this new endeavor, and hopefully follow in the footsteps of some of the success stories mentioned at the end of the book. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a great way to get started in writing and has something to say! 5/5 Stars!

Ever tried writing about something and caught a headache when expanding your thoughts and ideas? Ever been called a superficial writer? Have you ever battled strongly with writer’s block? If so, you’ve probably had a share of shallow writing. To my understanding, shallow writing is writing about something without giving out the purpose and exact meaning of the writing. When writing a novel, preface, or introduction, writers tend to give you a snippet and synopsis because they don’t want you (as the reader) to lose interest too quickly. Think about the first time you went swimming. You took the first three steps into the pool and though you saw others swimming in the deep portion of the pool, you stayed in shallow waters. You didn’t want to take the risk of drowning. Writers often feel the same way.

I strongly believe shallow writing comes with the fear of being drowned in criticism and losing a good reputation as an author. The deeper one goes into writing, the more emotion they display. They’re more vulnerable and bound to revealing personal aspects in their lives that they did not intend on revealing to the audience. Shallow writing is a give and take and it all depends on the author’s purpose. Sometimes, shallow writing is a benefit because the intent for writing is to summarize and give a brief description. Other times, shallow writing is inappropriate. Examples would be writing poetry, outlining a plot, and writing an autobiography. Readers expect to visualize pictures and events occurring in their minds. Reading is dull to them when there’s no suspense or nothing worth looking forward to read.

So, how do I overcome shallow writing and how do I get over the fear of my reputation probably being destroyed? The simple answer is you have to take risks. Some readers you will win and some you will lose. Breathe, take chances, and expect positive outcomes! The more you give of your inner self, the greater the impact and influence will be upon you and the piece of writing. Do you like to watch the news? If so, you’ll notice how the news talks more about criminal activity rather than positive things in the community. Many people love hearing drama and dirt and are more prone to accepting you as an authentic writer by ridding out shallow writing. Be authentic, be real, be you, and enjoy writing in a way that satisfies your inner and outer self.

Find a quiet place, find a pen or pencil (your choice), grab some tissues, have a cup of coffee, and allow yourself to open up! Get rid of shallow writing and give your reader(s) the extraordinary!

Growing up, I was surrounded by the traditional type-A personalities; people who went for practicality over dreams or what wasn’t considered the “norm” for society. These people worked 9 to 5 jobs, got married and had kids. There is nothing wrong with that, however, I always felt like I wanted more. My dream wasn’t to work for just a paycheck, to marry because it meant I was a grown-up, or to have children because everyone else was, and that is what’s expected of you.

I dreamt of making a difference somehow, of going to diverse places, and meeting new people. I wrote about these dreams. I wrote stories of love, but with more than just two characters passionate about one another. They always have a passion for life and for fulfilling dreams. I wrote these characters doing things I had never done – getting lost in a new city, meeting people unlike themselves, and falling in love in the midst of it all.

While I wrote these novels, I worked on who I wanted to be. I lived my life with passion and I allowed my art to take me to new places, people, and experiences. I don’t put limits on myself. I don’t feel bad about being single or not being a mom. It’ll happen someday, but I’m not in a rush.

Through my writing and all of these characters, even the ones that seem nothing like me, I have found who I am and what I want. Most writers say their art imitates their own life. For me, more often than not, my life is shaped because of my art. For instance, in my novel “Dream Catchers”, my two main characters go to the top of the Empire State Building. Meanwhile I, myself, had never been. I lived my entire life in New York City and had never been to the Empire State Building! I changed that after writing the book.

Just like I have gone to a Yankees gave after writing “Take Me Home”, and how I began a love affair with peanut butter and banana sandwiches after a character I had written was obsessed with the combination. I had never tried it prior to writing about it. What made me write these settings and character quirks if I had not experienced them? Who knows? When I write, I let the characters lead the way in my mind. I can’t really explain it other than that.

My latest novel, “Indigo Waters” is possibly the only novel of mine where I experienced much of the adventures and sights that go on in the book before I wrote it. I went on a wild dolphin expedition last summer and knew I had to base a novel off my experience. Still, next time I go back to the Bahamas, I need to learn to calypso dance like Cosette and Madeleine did in the book.

Perhaps my novels are pushing me to experience things I wouldn’t normally do. With each novel, I feel happier with who I am, and excited to go on the next adventure with a new story.

Starting this fall, I will be traveling across the United States for several months while writing a quirky ghost story. Oh, the characters that I will meet on my journey, both fictional and real…

I hope everyone finds something they are passionate about, outside of another person, or their job (I never look at writing as a job), and feel as complete as I do because of that passion. I only brag about my passion because I want to encourage others to discover theirs.

About The Author:Sandy Lo is an author, journalist, and dreamer who inspires the world with her words. For more information on Sandy and her books visit www.Sandy-Lo.com.

1. Grammar & Editing – As you are constructing your book, make sure you do a Spell Check on the final manuscript. Check the sentence fragments and word tense. Make sure your document has 1-inch margins (Top, Bottom, Left, and Right). Set your manuscript size to the book size you desire (i.e. 5×7, 6×10, 8×10).

2. ISBN – In order to effectively market your book without being rejected from bookstores and online agents, you will need to purchase an ISBN. Bowker ISBN Agency handles the regulation of ISBNs. If you decide to purchase one through them, it will cost $125. Book publishers may offer you a discounted rate. If so, take the advantage.

3. Copyrights – No author is prone or vulnerable to theft. Protect your works by registering your claim/title with the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington, D.C. You can purchase your copyright for $35 online through ECO or by printing out the forms under their local repository. Inside your book, do include a copyright page informing readers of copyright protection and infringement if they decide to steal your works.

4. Book Binding – The type of binding you choice for your book is very important. If you decide to choose paperback plastic cover, the cost will be cheaper. However, there is an advantage to hardcover. The binding doesn’t rip the pages and the book doesn’t become damaged by water, sunlight, or dust. Some authors choose to add the dust jacket inside and this also protects the pages inside of the book. One has to keep in mind that books are shipped and you never know what the machines could do to your books if they are plastic covers.

5. Cover Images – The front and back cover of your book is worth a thousand! Just one look could give the reader the wrong look. Personally, I choose to pick images that deal with the morale and main idea of the book. Get creative with your cover images and not have them plain. Make your book so appealing that when a person scrolls down the aisle, they stop to look at your book.

6. Wording on Back Cover – Many interested readers want a synopsis of your book and it’s important that you persuade them with the things written on the back. Place some testimonials of your book on the back cover and main quotes that are enticing.

7. Number of Pages – When I first started writing books, I did not take this into consideration. The amount of pages draws readers as well as repels them. If your book is too huge, a person may disregard it because of their busy schedule. Adversely, a person may enjoy a book of small amount of pages because they can read it in one setting. If you write poetry, consider the format of your book. Should it be done in volumes and collections? If you write fiction and creative stories, should they be split into characters or segregated by topical categories? Should there be a plot with suspense or a dry-cut informative message from the story?

8. Marketing – You are never in the business just to publish a book! You’re in the business to market your book! It’s an accomplishment to publish your book and receive the self-satisfaction of doing so. Yet, you want to sell your book and make royalties. You want money for your hard work and labor! It’s an expectation for authors and readers are also aware. Get into the habit of marketing your book and requesting your readers to rate and review it. Ratings and reviews carry the author a long way and establishes a fine connection between buying a book of worth and a plain old book.

I strongly believe one of the top failures for new, emerging authors is the marketing techniques they use in promoting their book. Typically, many authors purchase press kits with their publisher to help get their book recognized. Press kits are a good start point, but one should not fully rely on them. When I wrote my first three books, I did not use a press kit. I did “personal marketing.” Personal marketing and know how to do it well causes your book to be globally and locally recognized. I want to share some of the tactics and tools I have personally used in promoting my books. I also had help designing a website from Web Chimpy, they did a great job.

Amazon Kindle

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing gives an author the opportunity to convert the manuscript of their book into an e-Book version. If you’re an author that is limited on funds, this is your first source for marketing. Try to sell your book electronically and see how well it goes. If you make good ebook sales, begin transitioning into print copies through Amazon Marketplace.

Amazon Advantage Program

Amazon Advantage Program offers the opportunity for authors to send in print copies of their book to the warehouse. It’s imperative that I state you should make sure you send the exact amount of print copies you requested in your purchase order. When you submit your purchase order, Amazon will give you a shipping label and packaging label to make sure the correct personnel receives your book.

Personal Author Website

No matter what genre of writing you choose to pursue, every author needs a personal website that displays their book and how to go about purchasing it. Preferably, use your name as the web domain. If it’s not available, use the title of your book. Start with a .com domain and then search for available domains, if these options are not available.

Do not overdo your website. My very first website I created had too much information on it. The basic components should consist of an intro/welcome to your site, the author’s bio (keep it brief), the marketing outlets that have your book(s) available for purchase, and a way readers and visitors can contact you for more information. It’s imperative to have an email address correspondent to your website. For instance, my email is carl@carlmckever.com. If you feel your works will be huge, it’s wise to set up separate email addresses for each entity. Entities could be copyrights, book purchases, book reviews, ratings, interviews, endorsement letters, and author appearances (bookings).

Google SEO/ Google Analytics

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. I didn’t take advantage of Google Analytics or SEO until I wrote my fourth book. This software, patented by Google, shows you the location of the visitors on your website. You can get hit counts, web statistics, and pull up reports for your website. SEO is setup in your website within your metatags, to help Google easily locate your website. When someone searches your name on Google, your website should be the first link to show up.

Google Authorship

After your author website is established and you have SEO generated in the background, you can enroll into Google Authorship. This tool simply verifies your rights as an author and places your name to the right when someone searches for you. In order to use this, you have to embed code, from Google, into a website that includes your name as an author. You can even do this for newspaper articles, blogs, and journal entries.

NOOK Press

NOOK Press is an online self-publishing tool created by Barnes & Noble. The online software allows you to upload your manuscript and book cover, and then sell it as an email on a NOOK device. Barnes & Noble is just as reputable as Amazon and I encourage every author to use both platforms. I see many authors on Kindle and not on NOOK; as if NOOK is phasing away.

Amazon Author Central

Amazon Author Central is a platform that allows authors to create a profile and claim their books already being sold on Amazon. With Amazon Central, you can set up your upcoming events, embed an RSS feed or blog, upload pictures of yourself, and display videos about you and/or your book(s).

Amazon AudioBook Exchange (ACX)

Audiobooks are becoming a new thing in today’s publishing era. Once your books are available for sale on either Kindle or print, you can get an auditor to record your book. Royalties and contracts are setup and those that cannot read or see your book, can listen to your book through Audible.

Goodreads

When I first joined Goodreads, I freaked out because I didn’t understand why I could not create an author page. Before establishing an author page, you must recommend, read, and rate so many books. You begin by searching for your book. If Goodreads does not pull up anything, a button will appear that says “manually add my book(s)”. As I began to get ratings and reviews on my book, I added friends and joined different communities. This opened up my understanding and I began setting up critique groups, writing blog posts, include my works of writing, and uploading pictures.

One great feature, as a Goodreads author, I encourage is book giveaways. Setting up quizzes and trivia on your book sounds great, but to gain exposure you have to give away something for free. Even if you give away 1 copy, you can gain a lot of readers. When I did my first book giveaway, I only gave away 1 free copy of my book. The amount of contestants I had was 992 at the closeout. Take advantage of the giveaways.

LibraryThing

LibraryThing is a cataloging platform where librarians catalog books in their library and books of interest. You can still create an author page, upload photo(s), and contribute to the Common Knowledge placed on your books. Your readings and events can be added on LibraryThing and to find people of similar interest, you can join the Hobnob with Authors group.

Twitter/FaceBook/GooglePlus

All three of these social media platforms are free. If you have written multiple works, I suggest only creating one author page and displaying all of your works there. If you are concerned with privacy, block unwanted users and set your profile to private. Keep in mind that a private profile is harder to find than a public one.

I’m making it a habit to write daily; that is, whatever comes to mind. A person can write for years and become good at it. Yet, they suffer with distractions. Writers are not exempt from distractions. Every writer has a personal life outside of writing and they too, have to deal with this. It agitates me madly when I’m trying to write down my thoughts and a train passes by my place of stay. My neighbors, sometimes, family will play loud music or constantly knock on my door. Better yet, the phone seems to never stop ringing. No one is calling about something important and you think, “Couldn’t this wait until a later time?” Writing in a world filled with distractions is very difficult. It takes a lot of skill and technique to get beyond it. Today, I want to share some techniques with you that I think could help you as a writer, author, novelist, poet, lyricist, or whatever form of writing you enjoy doing.

My first tip is staying focused. Writing is considered a goal. There’s an end and a finish to it. You pick up your pen or pencil, apply it to paper, and then let your thoughts ride. The minute I notice a distraction, I speak to my inner self and remind myself to keep going. You can’t quit till you cross the finish line and feel satisfied with your writing piece.

The second tip I have to offer is taking a break. What! Are you sure? Yes, I am sure. You have to give your brain and thought process a break after a certain amount of hours. My rule of thumb is every four hours. During your break, leave your current setting and find a new atmosphere. Find a spot that’s calm and relaxing, such as a park. Remember to bring a notebook and something to write with. Don’t make it an intention to write because this is a break, remember? I am asking you to bring a notebook because you can run into something that intrigues you. I call this the test of the wills. Thoughts come and go, and you cannot expect your brain to remember the ones coming at you rapidly.

The third tip is finding the perfect timeframe. This is very difficult, though it sounds easy. Some writers have to write late at night when everyone in the house is sleep and all personal errands are done for the day. Other writers prefer to write in wee morning hours before any chaos hits the day. I have even seen some writers write in the middle of the day, during their lunch breaks from work, and at certain times designated for writing.

I want you all to succeed in your writing. The very last tip I have to offer is grabbing a cup of coffee or tea. Drinking something hot stimulates the mind and pushes you to continue writing down your thoughts when distractions are near. Please do not flatter yourself into thinking that you will not have to deal with distractions when you write. Distractions come in many forms; down to the sound of forceful wind. It’s how you handle them and how well you use emotional intelligence to balance your attitude about the distractions.

Being a book reviewer for the last two weeks and having many of my books reviewed by others, I tend to see a lot of commonality in reviews. Mistakes, gestures, and things that are just inappropriate for a book review. It is one thing to tell someone that their book is great and others should read it. It’s practically a cliché at this point. Reviewers have to make prospective readers thirsty and energized in interest to the point where they want to purchase the book. Book reviews have the same flavor and sensitivity as a sales pitch.

How do I write a book review? Where do I start? How long should it be? Common questions with various answers! I only speak, in this blog post, from personal experiences as a book reviewer. When you begin writing a book review, start off thanking the author for their publication. You can include if you won the book through a giveaway, but know that this is a necessary evil. After being complimentary, start addressing the overall design of the book. What feeling did you get when you looked at the front cover? Does the title give off the main idea? Are the designs on the front and back covers an act of symbolism? Does the small wording on the back cover heighten your interest to open the book? These are the things prospective readers want to know.

The next portion of your book review should address the grammar and punctuation. Yes, something not often placed in reviews. It’s imperative that you get someone else to check your grammar and punctuation. Go through an editor or agent, if you have to. You’ve read the book. So, did you have to stop and almost stutter because the fragments were not revised properly in the sentences? Did the author wean off topic for a long time without reeling you back into his/her main purpose? Prospective readers and book reviewers look for the author’s purpose, focus, and moral in every story. At this point, you can begin considering the format and layout of the book. Was the table of contents outlined correctly? Were page numbers included? Was the book entirely too long with unnecessary information in chapters? Was the font and alignment of each page hard to conceptualize? Think about this when writing your book review.

These pieces to a book review are great, but the most crucial and last component of the book review should be recommendations. Make the sales pitch! State the type of audience who should be reading the book and address any internal/external feelings they may run into. Is the book full of adventure and suspense? Is it religious? Are profane words and derogatory remarks made in the book? Why is this so important? The prospective reader wants to know if they’re the right audience! For instance, I’m a poet and when I read reviews for poetry books, I want to know if the books are centered on the same themes I write about and read about. If I was a counselor and the book is full of adventure, but doesn’t hold a dramatic event requiring counseling for someone, this may not be the book for me. Make your recommendations and state why such audiences are the right candidates.

In closing, have fun with your book reviews! Don’t make it into an assignment or required duty. Don’t treat it as some book report or an exhausting activity one does when they finish a book. Write your review while you’re in a happy mode and when you think and concentrate about the interesting pieces of the book. Even if the book is terrible, don’t come right out and say, “this is the worse book to buy.” Mention the author’s weaknesses and give suggestions on how they could become strengths. Don’t tear down your author publicly, but address horrible matters through private communications.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing some of your book reviews out there!

What is Poetry All About?
Poetry is taking the ordinary things that people hear and see, and transforming them into extraordinary, wonderful pieces of art to spark and ignite imagination. Imagery, poetic devices, and wordplay in poetry are essential and act as enhancements. As I began riding this writing rollercoaster, I buckle the seatbelt of brainstorming. I enjoy the ride, I enjoy the adventure, and most importantly, I enjoy the effect such writing has on readers. Poetry is my inner being and without poetry, there would be no existence of me. I am surrounded in a world filled with words splattered over pages and inks soaked over papyrus.

Within the last two and half years, I have studied poetry and its entire heritage through different poetry writing institutions. It wasn’t done for certificate’s sake, but passion’s sake. Nobody’s perfect and every skill take practice and teaching. Before I engulfed myself in the affairs of poetry, I feel a sense of emptiness in my soul. Today, I am grateful and fulfilled that I took the necessary steps to become a poet. So, when you purchase and read one of my poetry books, please do know that my intent is to inspire and encourage you; helping you the rugged terrains of life.

How to Begin and How to End?
Some will say, pick up a pen and go to writing! Poetry? Yeah, that will work. Start by taking small amounts of time out of your day and write. Write whatever comes to mind. This exercise is teaching you to write about the things that are on your mind. It also teaches you to expand your mind and your territory for thinking. Once you pass this phase, you will begin to have powers in transforming the words you wrote; starting line by line, then word by word, ending at syllable by syllable.

What are the necessary pieces to writing a poem?
The necessary pieces to writing a poem are you and your ability to think. Not all poems are written by hands nor are all poems rhythmic. We, as poets, pick and choose how we wish to express our intellectual on a concept. Choose ye this day, which writing style you will write. Hope you enjoy the books and I hope they encourage and transform your ways of thinking. Take care.

About The Author:Carl McKever is a poet who has written and published his works for the world to enjoy. You can get his books at Amazon!

WritersDigest.com— This website has EVERYTHING a writer could want and need! There’s a log of interesting writing prompts to start an interesting short story. Many workshops and books are offered to hone your skills and create a great read. Editorial blogs are frequently published, sharing useful information for fellow writers to consider. Also, if you’re looking to get work published, Writer’s Digest offers many features to help you in that process. Whether it’s a hobby or a serious career, Writer’s Digest is your one-stop shop for help and inspiration.

Purdue Online Writing Lab— It’s the mission of this website to assist you in your development as a writer regardless of your skill level, but secondary level students will find it particularly useful. There are guides for APA, MLA, and Chicago style formatting, and subject-specific writing. Read up on your technique and get a passing grade on your next paper!

Dictionary.com— Words are important to a writer. So get to know their meanings with this site. Looking for a synonym? Just click the thesaurus option for a list of synonymous (or different) words and phrases. With crosswords, word games, and interesting articles on the lives and history of certain words, this website is easy and fun to use. Download the Dictionary.com app for free to look up words on the go.

Terriblackstock.com–…Or whoever your favorite author might be. Most contemporary writers maintain a website from where they may share insight into their own lives and writing processes. Search an author that interests you, check out what inspires them in their craft, and put into practice some things that they do. You want to be the author of a popular best-seller, right? Then a good way to become one is to learn from one.

Does writer’s block or ADD have you lost and staring at a blank screen or unfinished work? Surf the web kick start or spice up your writing project. Pass the class with helpful resources. Bypass your writing roadblocks and take the road to successful writing today!

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